Thulani Mabentsela, a 32-year-old former drug addict from Delft in Cape Town, has written a powerful book, How Did I Escape from Snare, recounting his struggle with drugs and how he turned his life around.
His troubles began at 13 when he fell in with a bad crowd and started living on the streets.
“I smoked drugs, stole, and ended up in jail. I was arrested and spent three years in the juvenile section in Pollsmoor,” he said.
Mabentsela said he never imagined his casual use of dagga would lead to harder drugs like tik.
He shared how drugs misled him into thinking he was “clever” and independent.
“To parents who have kids that are on drugs, they must not give up on them, even though it is not easy,” he said.
For years, his mother urged him to quit and even took him to rehab, but he would go back to drugs as soon as he left.
In 2019, he finally stopped using drugs after comparing himself with people who did not take them.
“I would go to the mirror and realise that I didn’t look like them, which bothered me. It was during that time when I decided to go to church and cut all the bad friends in my life,” he said.
Mabentsela wrote the book to inspire parents not to give up on children facing addiction and to encourage those trying to quit to believe they can.
“There is no benefit in smoking drugs, and there is no life. I was staying on the street while I had a loving family and a home,” he warned.
Mabentsela’s journey has touched others, like Nomsa Mali, 40, who said people like him should share their stories with schoolchildren.
“I believe he can change our kids if he can visit schools,” Mali said.
Thulani Mabentsela’s book aims to give hope to families affected by addiction and to remind them that change is possible.
Pictured above: Thulani Mabentsela.
Source: Supplied
